Broker Miller and William Gallagher Associates (WGA), a US retail insurance broker, have launched pandemic disease business interruption insurance, provided by the Ark Syndicate at Lloyd’s.

Coverage responds to loss of income arising directly out of shutdowns of healthcare facilities as well as diminished revenues in the aftermath of a quarantine.

"The need for this coverage is acute at a time where Ebola and the Enterovirus threaten the operating capacity of global healthcare facilities,” said Mark Sleet, professional risks broker at Miller.

Peter Reilly, WGA’s healthcare practice leader, said: "Insurance for lost revenue arising out of a non-physical damage event like a voluntary or involuntary quarantine of facilities and medical professionals is not available on most Business Interruption coverage forms. Together we have designed coverage that can be triggered by events like we have already seen in the Dallas Ebola case."

Richard Bryant of Ark Syndicate, specialty programmes, added that hospitals and related entities have exposure to a voluntary or involuntary quarantine of their premises given the potential accumulation of people and the need by the authorities to try and contain the virus.

“This could be potentially catastrophic for any Medical related facility," he said.